British Columbia offers some of the best paddling experiences in the world, with a variety of options from sea kayaking and canoeing to whitewater rafting and river surfing. Explore the province’s diverse waterways, including over 20,000 lakes, 27 million kilometers of coastline, and countless rivers and creeks, to find the perfect spot for your paddling adventure.
Every corner of the province has something unique to offer all paddlers, from novices to experts.
From rafting to canoeing, we have everything needed to “wet” your appetite.
📍 Kootenay Lake, BC
⏳ Right Now
📷 @vhempsall
#paddlebc @nelsonkootenaylake
Who’s going fishing this upcoming long weekend?
Kyle Borkes and his wife Crystal of @kckayakfishing are two of the most prolific enthusiasts of kayak fishing in British Columbia.
They live in the coastal town of Ladysmith near the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island and grew up with fishing rods in their hands but it wasn’t until they tried kayak fishing 3 years ago that they really got excited about the sport.
Since then, they’ve consistently supplemented their groceries with fresh cod, bass and more from the waters around their home. We caught up with them to discuss how to start kayak fishing in BC.
➡️ Visit the link in our bio for all their tips.
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#paddlebc #paddling #paddle #britishcolumbia #canada #kayak #kayaking #kayakfishing #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #fishingbc #oceanfishing #fishing #vancouverisland
POP QUIZ: Which ungulate won’t you spot while canoeing around British Columbia?
ANSWER: White-tailed deer, elk, and moose are common species throughout the province but the chances of you spotting a fuzzy alpaca while paddling on lakes, rivers and wetlands are slim. (Although they are farmed in BC for their wool.)
➡️ For more about wildlife spotting in British Columbia visit the link in our bio.
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Share your paddling photos with us using #paddlebc
#paddling #britishcolumbia #canada #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #elk #canoe #canoeing #sup #supbc #standuppaddle #Standuppaddleboarding #deer #moose #wildlife
There are many guided interpretive tours in British Columbia that teach about Indigenous culture and how paddling has been such an important component for thousands of years.
One such tour company is @takayatours in North Vancouver, which offers trips in replica ocean-going canoes. Guests gently paddle in the protected waters of Burrard Inlet and the beautiful Indian Arm while guides from the Coast Salish Nation sing songs, tell legends and point out ancient village sites.
For more info, visit the Canoe Experiebces page via the link in our bio.
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#indigenousbc #coastsalish #northvancouver #paddlebc #paddling #britishcolumbia #canada #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #canoe #canoeing
Located in Canada’s only Maritime Mediterranean Climate Zone, Cowichan on Vancouver Island is home to some of the Canada’s warmest year-round temperatures, making it an ideal community for paddlers.
Not only is it bordered by the ocean, but Cowichan is also home to some beautiful lakes and rivers such as Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan Lake, and the Cowichan River. It’s the perfect spot for whatever kind of paddling you’re into, including river and sea kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing.
@tourismcowichan
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#paddlebc #paddling #britishcolumbia #canada #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #canoe #canoeing #sup #supbc #standuppaddle #Standuppaddleboarding #kayak #kayaking #kayakfishing #seakayaking
Did you know the Columbia River in Castlegar is an excellent place to spot sturgeon in May and June?
These incredible fish are like living dinosaurs because they’ve survived in this region since the Paleozoic Era and they can grow to be very large: some have been spotted that were 12 feet long! (Thankfully they’re completely harmless to humans.)
There are paddleboard and kayak tours that take visitors to excellent locations on the Columbia River during the Spring where sturgeon are regularly spotted. They are offered by @endlessadventurepics every Saturday from May 17 to June 14.
@destination_castlegar
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Share your paddling photos with us using #paddlebc
#paddling #britishcolumbia #canada #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #sup #supbc #standuppaddle #Standuppaddleboarding #kayak #kayaking #sturgeon #kootrocks #whitesturgeon #castlegarbc #heartofthekootenays #kootenays
Paddling season is kicking off in Fernie, BC!
The Elk River flows through the heart of this beautiful city at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and there are multiple ways to explore it, from exhilarating whitewater rafting to serene paddleboarding, and you’re always surrounded by breathtaking scenery.
Check out the “region” link in our bio for more info about paddling around Fernie, including outfitters and details of the super-fun Bull River too.
📷 @mkuhnphoto
@tourismfernie
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#paddlebc #paddling #britishcolumbia #canada #hellobc #explorebc #explorecanada #travelbc #discoverbc #bclife #unpluginbc #bcisbeautiful #beautifulbc #visitbc #amazingbc #bctravel #adventure #nature #whitewater #rapids #rafting #sup #supbc #standuppaddle #Standuppaddleboarding #whitewaterrafting #canadianrockies #elkriver #ferniebc #raftingbc #elkriver
Paddle Pals Wanted! Chris of @topherstudio is looking for fellow sea kayakers who are into, or who want to get into, distance sprints.
He lives on Whidbey Island, just south of Victoria in Washington state, and loves circumnavigating Salish Sea islands at speed.
For example he’s paddled around Whidbey Island in under 72 hours, Camano Island in 13 hours, and Orcas Island in under 72 hours.
He’s hoping to connect with others who have a similar passion in distance sprint kayaking.
DM us if you’re interested and we’ll introduce you.
🎥 taken during one of Chris’s excursions this month.
#paddlebc #seakayaking #salishsea
Whatever type of paddling you prefer, here are the events you’ll want to take part in around the province.
The most profound experience I’ve ever had while in a sea kayak was when a whale breached 12 feet away and I could smell its fishy breath. It was so rank: like…
Have you ever seen a stunning photo of someone out paddling and wondered how they took it? Paddling offers a unique perspective of waterbodies, great opportunities to get up close perspective of…
The stand-up paddle board cuts through the glassy turquoise waters of Kalamalka Lake as you glance up at the cliffs rising from the water’s edge, with stands of ponderosa pine glowing in…
